Writing the First Draft…

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Writing the first draft is something we as writers need to do. Yes, I struggle with this one. My OCD brain refuses to keep from editing my first draft. But every writing course or professional editor will tell you that the first draft should be just that, a draft. So I’m working on this with my new manuscript I started this weekend, Lacey’s Choice.

You may be asking, is it going well? NOOOOOOO!!!!! My brain refuses to leave a bad sentence, misspelled words, or even a wrong name. I’m struggling with this, but I can say it helps me write faster. The one thing I have to do is force myself not to look back at what I just typed. Why is this so hard for me?

So, do you have a messy first draft or a very meticulous one? My editor and assistant always laughs at my first draft because it’s always clean. She tells me all the time, give me some misspelled words or something. LOL! Yes, I’m struggling to be a sloppy writer 🙂

As always, great writing and May God Bless You…

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Getting the word out!

Ok, it’s Monday, are you ready for the work week? Me, not so much, but got to get moving. I’ve been asked so much lately about my advertising strategy that I’m writing the post to get the word out. So here goes:

When I first started publishing my books, I had no clue about marketing my book. Four years later I’m starting to get the hang of it. I even have a website where authors can advertise their books for a minimal fee and I use what I’ve learned on that site.

This is what I’ve learned that works, it really works:

1: Use a service such as Hootsuite to make many posts, even while you’re sleeping. I especially like to use this service when I have a new release coming out soon. I usually set up several posts and have them go through my WordPress, Twitter, and Facebook pages. I do different posts for each time slot, that way I’m not overusing the same thing.

2: Twitter is a really cool marketing tool. I actually see a bump in sales when I do Tweets during the day. Make sure to be creative with the 140 characters. I use my buy link and a savvy, short piece from the book. It really works people, but you have to actually do it for it to work 😉

3: Facebook Ads: This I love and see lots of results. Facebook has made it easier to set up. One thing I love about this is you don’t inundate your friends and family with book ads. These ads go to where you want them too and go to people that aren’t friends on Facebook. I’ve gained many new fans from a simple Facebook ad. You can set up any price you want to and even the length of time you run the ad is up to you.

4: Website: Every author needs a website. There are so many places you can set up a website now, it’s amazing. but if you don’t want to go to all the trouble of setting up a professional author website, then get in touch with me, my company Horseshoe Publishing does this.

5: Blogs: This is very important to authors. It gives you the chance to talk about anything, but I suggest leaving off political topics, only for the reason of making someone angry. Blog about your life giving readers a look at what you do other than writing. It’s amazing the response you’ll get.

So, these are only a part of my marketing agenda, but I’m short on my word count this morning, so I have to get back to writing. My assistant gives me the evil eye if I get too far behind on my schedule.

One last reminder before I go, if you don’t have the time or drive to do any of these and want help, check out my new advertising site www.freshfromthebook.com and for a minimal fee, we’ll get the word out for you.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

 

Patience & Writers!

Patience… Do you have good patience? For me, sometimes. I’ve been told many times that I have the patience of Job. Some days I’m not so sure about that. With some things, I do have a lot of patience. Tax work, I have the patience 92% of the time. Children’s Ministry, I have 95%  patience. Writing… not such good numbers.

When a writer needs patience:

  1. A writer needs the patience to see the manuscript to the end. I know with me, I can see the end, but sometimes it takes everything within me not to rush to the end. If I rush, I’ll miss the details that make the middle great, which helps that ending pop.
  2. A writer needs patience when submitting to a big publisher. This one can be daunting. Sometimes I’m good with this. But some days I wear my email out.
  3. A writer needs patience when entering a writing contest. I’m going through that right now. I’ve submitted a manuscript first chapter to the Harlequin HWBlitz. Yep, counting down the days.
  4. A writer needs patience while waiting on a finished manuscript to be edited. My Editor knows how testy I get during this time, but she smoothes the ruffled feathers by reminding me that this is part of the process. As a writer, I want it out there the minute I type THE END>
  5. A writer needs patience when waiting for the manuscript to be put out for all the world to read. Most of my books are put on preorder. They’re all on a certain publishing schedule, which means some of the things I’m working on now won’t be published until late Summer. That drives me crazy. I have so many that I’m so excited to get out there, but I have to wait. This is the part where I don’t do well. But I have to stay organized and on schedule, or so my Editor says anyway…

So, what makes you impatient?

As always, great writing and May God Bless You…